Measuring earth`s circumference using Qutub Minar`s shadow

New Delhi: An organisation working for development of science and astronomy will conduct a project to measure the circumference of earth, using the Qutub Minar`s shadow on the autumnal equinox Sep 23.

Under this project, SPACE (Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators) will help volunteers take actual measurements of the Qutub Minar`s shadows made by the sun to measure the circumference of earth.

Autumn equinox is when the night and day are of same length and the sun crosses over the earth`s equator, marking the beginning of autumn.

SPACE has been conducting this project previously at various historical sites like Jantar Mantar and using the giant sundial constructed at Barapullah during the Commonwealth Games.

"With the help of this project, SPACE has highlighted that such Indian monuments can be used as tools to demonstrate and get the common man interested in science. It is a showcase for proving that science can be best learnt by doing," said SPACE president C.B. Devgun.
"In this experiment, students have been able to calculate the circumference of earth to an accuracy of 99 percent," he added.